There are a lot of people who have the Amalfi Coast at the top of their vacation bucket list because of its craggy coastline landscapes and fishing towns that are covered in bougainvillea.
There is a solid reason for this: this fifty-kilometer (31-mile) stretch of coastline that stretches from the villages of Positano to Vietri sul Mare is home to a variety of marvels, ranging from churches with colorful tiles to hiking trails that are surrounded by clouds. But where do we even begin?
Continue reading to learn about our recommendations for the most beautiful sites to visit in this area of Italy.
The Ravello
Ravello is a romantic destination that can be found high up in the Lattari highlands. It is known for its gorgeous homes that date back around 800 years and its spectacular views of the surrounding area. Just 5.7 kilometers (3.5 miles) inland from the shore, this teeny-tiny hamlet served as a shelter from Barbarian invasions in the fifth century. Ever since then, it has attracted tourists from all over the globe, including world-renowned artists such as Richard Wagner and DH Lawrence, as well as the general public who were looking to get away from the chaos of the beach.
Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo are two of Ravello’s most beautiful homes, and they are accessible via the stone-paved pathways that lead from the town’s busy main plaza, Piazza Duomo. Each of the manors was constructed over the course of many centuries, and they are noteworthy for the different layers of architectural decorations that they feature, in addition to their stunning gardens and breathtaking views of the shore. Take a stroll through the Moorish courtyards of Villa Rufolo and get lost in the rose bushes of Villa Cimbrone before making a stop at the Terrace of Infinity to take in the view of the Gulf of Naples from a height of 365 meters (1198 feet).
Ravello is particularly stunning during the summer months, when the gardens of Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo are in full bloom and the Ravello Music Festival is in full action.
The Positano
In spite of its modest beginnings as a fishing hamlet, Positano has gone a long way to become a glitzy resort town, and the price tag is evidence of this. Starting with the first glimpse of its pyramid-shaped cliffside expanse from the boat, Positano’s greatest treasures are almost completely free. This is true even if you are unable to afford to spend the night, since accommodation prices typically begin at €350.
If you want to visit this one-of-a-kind cliffside settlement, you will need to have tough shoes (and lungs) since the only way to get there is by ascending an unending series of steps that are carved right into the rock. You will find shops, galleries, and restaurants that are shaded by garlands of blossoms. Additionally, you will find soaring coastline vistas at the peak of the town. At the summit, you may pause for an aperitivo on the terrace of the ancient Hotel Le Sirenuse and look out at the Gulf of Naples while holding a Negroni in your hand.
The town of Sorrento
Along the coast On the Sorrento Peninsula, thirty minutes to the west of Positano, lies the town of Sorrento. Although Sorrento is not strictly a part of the Amalfi Coast, its closeness makes it a simple and essential diversion when traveling along the coast. In addition to the fact that it is teeming with visitors, you will also discover layers of architecture that date back to the ancient Greeks, Romans, medievals, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, as well as a lively cultural scene.
Piazza Tasso is the throbbing heart of Sorrento, and it is located right next to the town’s historic neighborhood, which is paved with cobblestones and has enclaves of traditional carpentry businesses. Take a leisurely stroll around the beautiful gardens of Villa Comunale, which overlooks the Gulf of Naples, and then visit the Chiostro di San Francesco, which has a calm courtyard covered in ivy, to gaze at the art displays. An beachfront meal at Marina Piccola pier or O’Parrucchiano La Favorita, where you can eat in a lemon grove draped with fairy lights, is the perfect way to round off your trip.
The city of Sorrento is considered to be the origin of limoncello; however, rather than purchasing mass-produced limoncello, it is recommended that you visit the Giardini di Cataldo lemon grove, which makes pure artisanal limoncello right in the heart of the city.
Taking the Way of the Gods
Now is the time to put down your Negroni and lace on your boots because the Amalfi Coast is home to one of the most exciting walks possible in Italy. It is a stretch of rosemary-scented Mediterranean shrubland that is 7 kilometers (4.34 miles) in length and is located at an astounding height of 630 meters (2065 feet) above sea level. The Path of the Gods, also known as il sentiero degli gods in Italian, seems to be hung between the clouds and the ground. It is supposed that the route was carved into the soil by the gods when they stomped down from heaven to rescue Ulysses from the sirens’ singing. The name of the trail originates from the legendary history of the trail.
The track with a moderate level of difficulty includes a number of entrance and exit sites; however, the most popular route begins in the mountain town of Agerola (Bomerano) and concludes in Nocelle, where one may have a refreshing lemon slushie from the granita stand before going down the 1700 stone stairs to Positano. While you are traveling, you will be able to take in breathtaking views of the shore, as well as lemon orchards, olive trees, and chestnut trees.
In order to avoid the heat and get the most of the daylight, you should hike this trek in the spring or autumn, or you can begin your hike as early as possible throughout the summer and winter months. Trail shoes are an absolute must.
In the Bay of Ieranto
This breathtakingly beautiful cliff beach is located on the Sorrento Peninsula and can be reached by hiking for forty-five minutes from the settlement of Nerano. You will be led down a steep slope to reach the sea, where you will be rewarded with an incredible view of the faraglioni (rock towers) of Capri. The hike begins with a moderate level of difficulty, but builds up to a medium level of difficulty in the last fifteen minutes.
The atmosphere is absolute joy, with the only thing that breaks it up being thrill seekers jumping from the cliffs. It is thought that the Sorrento Peninsula, and more specifically the bay of Baia di Ieranto, is the same place where Homer’s mermaids reside, so be on the lookout for them.
A Fjord of Furore
The term “fjord” is not accurate when referring to Fiordo di Furore since glaciers are responsible for the formation of fjords, but the Schiato torrent was responsible for carving this rugged entrance into the cliffs. However, the resultant lonely beach, which is topped by a magnificent arched bridge, is no less otherworldly than the beach itself, and it is well worth the hundreds of stone stairs that you will need to climb down (and then back up) in order to reach it.
You may arrive immediately by boat or water taxi, or you can drive east on the SS163 state road by automobile or by the 5070 SITA bus to the hamlet of Furore. There, you will find the stairway that leads to the beach right outside the Marisa Cuomo Winery. Your reward will be a beach with a pebbly surface and waters that are completely clear.
Giovanna is the Bagni Regina.
With the exception of the Bagni Regina Giovanna, which is located 3.6 kilometers (2.2 miles) west of Sorrento, the phrases “swimming hole” and “ancient Roman villa” are not often associated with one another. The submerged remains of the house, which dates back to the first century and was once the seaside retreat of the Roman lord Pollio Felix, now serve as a natural swimming hole. Bathers who are thrilled for the experience plunge from the rooftop of the villa into the Gulf of Naples, which is a drop of 46 meters (150 feet). There is nothing but pure Pagan delight in the air, and it is completely memorable.
Visit this location only if you are in the best possible physical condition. To say nothing of the ruins themselves, which are collapsing and interrupted by steep slopes, the cobblestoned walk that leads to the villa is not only incredibly uneven but also is 600 meters (1969 feet) in length.
Amalfi Coast
The coastal town of Amalfi, which is also the name of the town, is a picturesque medieval hamlet that can be explored on foot and is full of shops, restaurants, and winding passageways to discover. The spectacular 62-step staircase that leads up to the Cattedrale di Sant’Andrea, a Gothic cathedral and reliquary that dates back to the 12th century, can be found on the magnificent Piazza Duomo, which is also the location of the ancient pastry business Pasticceria Pansa. Since the 13th century, Amalfi has also been a manufacturer of handmade paper, and it is also the primary farmer of Amalfi lemons in the neighborhood.
You can discover Amalfi’s Museo della Carta (Paper Museum), which is housed in a genuine paper press from the 13th century, as well as the Amalfi Lemon Experience, which is a generational lemon grove in which visitors can visit the town’s historic lemon groves and sample artisanal limoncello. Both of these attractions can be found on the edge of town, which is accessible by walking down Via Lorenzo D’Amalfi, the main drag.